The body of the 48-year-old Bernese navigator was found lifeless off the Laténium, in Hauterive.
It was a rowing practitioner who discovered the unfortunate this Saturday, shortly after 2 p.m., confirms Manuel Garcia, the duty officer of the Neuchâtel police.
Read also: A navigator reported missing on Lake Neuchâtel
Boat without its captain
The alarm had been given Tuesday evening, at 10:15 p.m., when a sailboat and its occupant were hit by a zodiac off the port of Saint-Blaise.
The boat, launched at an estimated speed of 25 km/h, had no one at its helm. The navigator on board the sailboat had then succeeded in containing the boat and alerting the emergency services.
Circumstances to be clarified
The search began on Tuesday evening, with the engagement of a helicopter. This same helicopter flew over the scene again the next day. Lake police have also been deployed, as have patrols along the shores.
An investigation has been opened to determine the causes and circumstances of the death. It will be led by the prosecutor Renaud Weber.